Chapter 2
I finally survived the rest of the semester and with the blessing of my Dad, I’m all packed up to head to Louisiana. I’ve printed directions and I have my GPS configured, just in case. Dad has been worried to death telling me over and over again to call him no matter what. I’ve already assured him that he will hear from me on the hour, every hour, if that’s what he wants. Yep, that’s exactly what he wants. As I hug him goodbye, I cling tightly to him. My Dad is the most important person in my life and I love him so much.
“You be safe kiddo. If you change your mind up the road, just turn around.” He tells me with the most serious look on his face.
“I know Dad, but I think this will be good for me. I will be safe, you know that.”
“Of course I do. It’ll sure be quiet without you here this summer. I love you Shayleigh.”
Dad never calls me by my first name, so that fact that he just did, has tears springing forward in my eyes. “I love you too Dad. I better get on the road, it’s a long drive.”
“Have fun and don’t forget--”
“I know Dad,” I interrupt him. “Call you. I will, I promise.”
I hug him tightly one last time before climbing into my car and shutting the door. Once the engine roars to life, I take in a deep breath and let it out as I begin to back out of our driveway and officially begin my summer.
***
I’m getting closer to my destination. My legs hurt like hell but I’ve managed to stop a few times to stretch. Sirius XM has been amazing during this drive, but now, I’m getting antsy. I’ve been inside Louisiana for awhile now and I’ve kept my promise to Dad. He’s gotten many phone calls from me. I just hung up with him and now I’m on Hwy 171 inching closer and closer to Sienna. I’m getting ready to call her and let her know that, when a popping sound fills the air and my car begins to veer off the road. Shit. I slowly hit the brakes and pull over on the side of the road. I sit there for a minute before deciding to climb out of the car and see what the hell happened. Did I hit something? I step out of my car and into the humid air. The humidity takes my breath away leaving me hot and bothered, but not in a good way. Hello, Louisiana. One look at my passenger side front tire and I see it, it’s flat. Shit, this is fucking great. Of all the things my dad taught me, changing a flat is the one thing I didn’t pay attention to. Way to go Shayleigh.
I groan as I stare at the tire. I seriously cannot believe this happened. I walk to the car and pop the trunk. I know everything I need to change the tire is in there and I’m praying that I can figure this out. Reaching down, I grab the jack out of the trunk and it’s like trying to hold a ton of bricks. I set it beside the car, letting out the breath I was holding and try to strategically place it where it looks like it should go. I’m beginning to sweat in places that sweat shouldn’t be allowed in. I want to cry. I’m seriously thinking this is a sign that I shouldn’t have come here. I have no clue what I’m doing.
I can’t get the jack to do anything I want it to and I’m about to give up when the sexiest voice comes from nowhere causing me to jump. “I saw you sitting here and it looks like you could use some help.”
I look up and blink my eyes trying to make sure I’m not going delirious out here in the middle of nowhere. This God in front of me looks absolutely heavenly standing there with his baby blue eyes and short brown hair. His jeans are snug, but not too tight and that t-shirt should just be molded onto his skin. Holy shit, I’ve died and gone to heaven. That’s the only explanation I have right now.
“I, uh yeah. I could, thanks.” That’s all I can get out of my mouth. Way to go brain, just leave me hanging.
This godly like stranger walks around to the back of my car to get everything else out that I didn’t get and he looks back at me and chuckles. “Missouri huh? You’re a long way from home.”
“Tell me about it,” I mumble.
“I’ll get you fixed right up. So what are you doing out here?”
“I’m spending the summer down here with my best friend. I thought it would be a good idea to drive, but apparently, that wasn’t such a good idea.”
“Not a worry pretty lady, shit happens. Lucky for you, I’m here to save the day.” He winks at me and I practically melt. My insides are all twisted like a pretzel. Butterflies assault my body and I seriously can’t remember the last time something like this happened to me.
He gets to work immediately, jacking the car up like it’s nothing. How can he make it look so easy? He’s kneeling beside my car and I can see the outline of a Skoal can in his pocket. I lick my lips as I watch him, praying he doesn’t turn around and see me lusting after him. A few more minutes pass and before I know it, the tire has been replaced. It’s a donut which kinda pisses me off. My car looks funny now. I know as soon as I can, I’ll be going to buy a new tire so my baby looks good again.
He stands up and smiles at his handiwork before placing everything, including the tire, into the trunk. He shuts the lid and turns back to smile at me. “There you go, as good as new.” His smile is killing me and I’m glad it’s hot as hell outside so he can’t see me blushing.
“Thank you so much. I seriously couldn’t have done this without you. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Not a problem. I’m Beau,” he says extending his hand out to me. His hand is a little greasy from changing the tire, but I place my hand in his and try not to completely lose myself.
“I’m Shayleigh.” Our hands stay connected for what seems like ages before I finally pull mine away. Without thinking of the grease, I wipe my hand on my shorts and look back at my car. “Well, thank you again so much. I need to get going.”
“It was my pleasure, Shayleigh,” Beau says giving me another wink. I give him an unintentional cheesy smirk before walking back to my car. I can feel his eyes on me the whole time and the urge to look back crosses my mind, but I push it back.
He drives off and again, I’m sitting in my car replaying the events. I grab my phone and see a missed call from Sienna. Shit, I forgot to call her.
“Shay, I was getting worried about you. Are you ok? Did you get lost?” she asks me.
“No, I’m fine Sienna. I got a flat tire, but I’m fixed up and I’m not far. I need to go get a new tire as soon as possible though, I can’t ride around on this stupid donut.”
“Oh shit, why didn’t you call me?”